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1. Hakvrei Tue 10 Feb 2026 09:21PM UTC

   

   Recommendations? I have one! Thank goodness for the bookmarks :D

   One of my favorites is Of Flesh and Ivory by curlyfry6. It's Sefikura and an AU inspired by the Greek myth of Pygmalion. The descriptions, the emotions, and the execution of the crossover (myth + FFVII) are so gorgeous and lovely to read. If you like Greek mythology and FFVII, then I highly recommend you read this <3

   And my last one is actually a gift fic I got in an exchange! It's To Grow Up Big And Strong by FactorialRabbits. It's GanLink and an Omegaverse AU. Very fluffy, short, and sweet, if you are looking for something nice to read. I really enjoyed it but I'm biased since it was a gift hahaha.

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2. BizarreIdeaMan Tue 10 Feb 2026 09:33PM UTC

   

   I've got one! Kris Performs Surgery is a Deltarune AU sprite comic all about, well, the title. Obviously with deltarune being unfinished, it's gotta make its own interpretations on important backstory related to Dess/Noelle/Rudy but it's doing a GREAT job of it so far!

   Also since it's a sprite comic, it's got OODLES of original art that looks about on par with the game it's an AU of- which is high praise indeed! It's what's keeping the wait for Chapters 5-7 bearable, i HIGHLY recommend it!

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3. 1. AMX004_Qubeley Tue 10 Feb 2026 11:56PM UTC

      

      Kris Performs Surgery is great, it has all the energy of the sprite comics I used to read back in middle school!

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4. DMK11818 Tue 10 Feb 2026 09:38PM UTC

   

   Hi everyone! I HAVE to tell you about this incredible slash fic that my brother wrote – I basically dared him to do it, and he went totally wild and actually posted it in a way I never saw coming. It would mean the world if a few of you checked it out and gave him some readers, pretty please 🥹 Plus it's a full AU, so it fits this year's theme perfectly

   He's drawn so much inspiration from Achilles and Patroclus (you know, that epic bond) mixed with Hannigram vibes – and then he sprinkled in tons of other M/M pairings from movies and anime. I even helped him hunt down all the references (yes, including every single 18+ image, that's all me hehe), so there's a little piece of my heart in there too.

   If you're into intense, equal male characters who are completely obsessed with each other, super smart banter full of random fascinating facts, clever puns, references to ancient myths, gorgeous art (mostly paintings and sculptures), and that dark elegant Hannibal aesthetic – YOU NEED TO READ THIS!!! Even if it's not your thing or you're side-eyeing his casting choice for Achilles, just drop a quick "meh, not for me" comment and move on – but pleeease give it a chance first!! You'll see why he chose THAT person, believe me that it makes sense!

   I am OBSESSED with this trope, I've devoured so many similar fics, but nothing compares to my brother's – everything twists in ways you won't expect, and that ending... AHHHHH girls I am so jealous you get to experience it fresh! I recommend it with every fiber of my being – you won't regret it if you love all that stuff I mentioned.

   Link: It’s just an ExperimenT

   Also, any Hannigram lovers around? Pretty please rec me the great fics from last year – I've binged literally everything on AO3 through 2025 😅 Thank youuu! Happy IFD! 💕💕

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5. 1. crEaTor42402 Wed 11 Feb 2026 08:39AM UTC

      

      I couldn’t understand where all these views on my fanfic suddenly came from out of nowhere. But now it all makes sense. My sister put in the effort. Well, “fate loves irony.” Since even here you’ll “shine over people,” I’ll follow the light while staying in the shadows. As always. As always…

      My sister praised my fanfic way too much because she’s biased toward me and knows the whole truth, so she’s really enthusiastic about it. That’s why I’m uncomfortable that now those reading these comments will have inflated expectations. But in any case, I’m grateful to each of you for any view of my fanfic, let alone a like or a comment. Thank you. Enjoy the ride! 🚀

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6. Bluecoraldreams Tue 10 Feb 2026 10:27PM UTC

   

   Goldrush by babyspruce

   My favorite AO3 ever written is called Goldrush by babyspruce. This fic was the reason I got an ao3 account, so I could comment. It's a 2000s college AU featuring the Marvel Cinematic Universe characters Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes. It's a slow-burn, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story filled with angst, pining, and adventure. It's creepy and haunted with investigative and detective aspects. Babyspruce found a way to take these two very well-known characters and create their own story. Every character is beautifully written, as well as the conflict, scenery, and storyline. It is from Bucky's perspective as a transfer student who seems to struggle with loneliness, depression, and belonging in the world. He's from a family that never really loved him and always longed for connection, family, and friendships. Steve, on the other hand, has gone through grief and a highly traumatic childhood and upbringing with an abusive father who beat him and his mother, who had recently passed away. All these things greatly shape Steve's character, and he seems to always be in a constant state of fight and guarded. Throughout the story, you get to see these characters open up to each other and be vulnerable. This fic is still being written, and I don't think I did enough justice explaining it in this post, but you should definitely check it out if interested! https://ao3-rd-3.onrender.com/works/58049152/chapters/147787558

   (THANKYOU TO ALL AO3 WRITERS)
   I'm constantly reminded of the power of writing, and I love how this platform gives opportunity to all the writers and fans out there to express themselves and their talent freely. I love reading on here its a great escape and comfort, and I'm sure it is for many others, so thankyou for to all the authors out there who write for free! Love you all <3

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7. Hannigram2020 Tue 10 Feb 2026 10:39PM UTC

   

   My enthusiastic rec is ‘This Dangerous Game’ by MissDisoriental (https://ao3-rd-3.onrender.com/works/7883905/chapters/18007207), a truly gorgeous Victorian-era Hannigram AU featuring Jack the Ripper. It’s just…wow. Just stunning: hauntingly beautiful, incredibly atmospheric, deeply romantic, as well as extremely smart in the way it weaves in genuine historical details with the fictional ones. If the names were switched around it could easily be a published novel, and I love it madly and reread at least once a year for full factor Hannigram feels.

   Thank you to AO3 for organising another excellent round of IFD events, and thanks to all the fic writers out there who make so much awesome content for us. I love this community so much ❤️

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8. nonbinarywitch Tue 10 Feb 2026 11:16PM UTC

   

   My current beloved AU fanwork, not finished reading yet but I love the writing:

   all we see is light by mslilylashes. (M/M, NR, Destiel)

   I'm really liking the characters' voices, the way they interact, the world building, and character development.

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9. Mari_the_squishyyy Tue 10 Feb 2026 11:36PM UTC

   

   I would recommend Strawberry lipgloss and Black coffee! It’s a really good college AU between Katsuki and OC, it’s worth the read, very long. There’s lore too and other fanfics in the series 💖

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10. CuriousPupsicle Tue 10 Feb 2026 11:50PM UTC

    

    So many great human AUs to recommend in my favorite fandom, Good Omens. One of my favorites was Crossing the Floor by AlwaysTuesday, in which Aziraphale and Crowley are members of Parliament from different parties. https://ao3-rd-3.onrender.com/works/64815508/chapters/166569619

    The fic works because of the emotion and she does a terrific job making Parliamentary procedure familiar to the readers.

    I highlighted it back on Tumblr when it was a WIP - https://www. /curiouspupsicle/781619138267332608/wip-wednesday-4232025-parliamentary-procedure.

    Last Edited Tue 10 Feb 2026 11:51PM UTC

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11. M31 (under_the_will0w) Wed 11 Feb 2026 01:25AM UTC

    

    When We're Together (I'm not afraid of my tears)
    This was the first work I read on ao3 and my first encounter with BSD.
    After reading it I immediately bookmarked the next book because it was so good.

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12. Silasthekitty Wed 11 Feb 2026 01:53AM UTC

    

    My official Feedback Fest list!

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13. MarioSonic Wed 11 Feb 2026 02:18AM UTC

    

    The first AU that comes to my mind to tell people about is “Another Chance to Do Things Right”. It’s a Sonic the Hedgehog AU where Maria actually survives the G.U.N. raid. It features Maria dealing with the modern day, Sonic and Shadow getting together, and Shadow being questionably experimented on.
    I think the reason I like it so much is because it features the main cast acting like a family and more mundane/domestic moments between all the intensity.

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14. rose_scented_swan Wed 11 Feb 2026 03:03AM UTC

    

    I have so many recommendations!!!

    1. two sons by likearecord. This is an AFTG Andriel fic, set in a No Exy AU and Organised Crime AU. This was one of the first things I ever read on Ao3, but it is also beautifully written, and to this day is one of my favourite fics ever. It also doesn't require knowledge of the AFTG canon, so anyone can read it (even if they aren't in the fandom)!

    2. Fire and Ashes by MoonyTheHobbit. It's a rewrite of a Game of Thrones scene, using characters from Captive Prince instead of the original GoT characters. This fic doesn't have an much attention as it deserves, because it's one of my favourite crossover/AU fics, and it works so well!

    3. The Bachelor of Baltimore by likearecord. This is actually a series of three AFTG Andriel fics, again in a No Exy AU and Organised Crime AU. However, this is also kind of an arranged marriage fic, and it is so much fun to read! Again, it requires little to no knowledge of AFTG canon. Because there's three seperate fics (and two out of three have multiple chapters), it isn't too short, which is an issue that some fics do have (in my opinion).

    4. void states by run_mello. This is another Captive Prince fic, with a Modern AU. Some parts are a little disturbing/unnerving, but it is very engaging, and raises some interesting questions.

    5. quicksand by likearecord. Sorry, I just really love her work. Yet another AFTG Andriel fic in a No Exy AU. However, this is also a College/University AU. It's really funny, especially because it reads like it's about an entirely different set of people to likearecord's other AFTG fics.

    I don't really read AUs much, and I also don't read fics for many fandoms, so these are my favourites. If anyone has any Heated Rivalry fics or AUs, please let me know - it's my new hyperfixation, but I'm a bit scared to try and find good fics for it!

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15. Doranwen Wed 11 Feb 2026 03:06AM UTC

    

    Here are some of my favorite AUs (mostly canon divergent but a few are other sorts):

    Chronicles of Narnia:
    The Stone Gryphon - rthstewart
    A series of intriguing fics involving (to quote the author) "war, espionage, immoral acts done in service of moral ends, natural history, dinosaurs, Alice in Wonderland, cunning corvids, tequila, D-Day, theology, spirituality, love and sex". It's a massively canon divergent AU starting around The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, with a greatly fleshed-out time the Pevensies spent in Narnia (lots of worldbuilding!). My favorite fic is the second one, The Queen Susan in Tashbaan.

    Law & Order: SVU:
    Inflection Point - jabyar
    I toyed so hard with which of my favorite Lewis arc AUs to rec, but finally went with this one. If a fic could win an award for "most realistic take on this arc", I feel like this one should get that. It doesn't shy away from what might really have happened, digs into some of the dark recovery aspects, and even does a bit of worldbuilding with Olivia's backstory. All of it feels so much like the author took a good look at the Lewis arc and said, "I'm going to write something eminently more realistic", and proceeded to knock that out of the park. It's gritty but very, very good.

    Leverage:
    A (Slightly) Dysfunctional Family - smthwallflower
    An AU series wherein Nate finds kid!Parker and takes her home to the team. Never too fluffy/cutesy but honestly dealing with some of the issues both of them have, and building a family relationship that's really beautiful.

    Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman:
    Vagrant & Homecoming (both by Shayne Terry)
    This pair of fics tells the story of an AU beginning to the Lois & Clark tale, where Clark is a homeless teenager when he meets a young Lois Lane. (Sorry for the off-site link; basically all my favorites for this fandom aren't on AO3!)

    Lord of the Rings (books):
    A Queen For The King by urban_trekker
    I know it is kind of splitting hairs to say this is different than movies-based LOTR given that it's a Modern AU - AND it's a perma-WIP (the author has made it very clear that it will NOT be finished) - BUT (hear me out!) it is hands-down one of the best AUs I've ever read, even with that. It's also nearly 900k, so be warned! I made the mistake of clicking on it at 2 p.m. one afternoon without looking at the size and was such a zombie the next day - but I couldn't regret it. My bookmark for it reads: A wildly inventive modern AU for LOTR with phrases like "Rohanese parliament", "Eryn Lasgalen banks", and "rode her motorcycle over the Ungol Pass". At turns hilarious, sweet, and complex (political shenanigans like you wouldn't believe), even unfinished this is well worth sitting down and reading. Just don't try to do it in one day!

    Lord of the Rings (movies):
    The Long Road Home - Scribblesinink (Scribbler)
    This is possibly my favorite Boromir Lives AU. A tale full of guilt and redemption, and the last line makes me want to CRY because of how beautiful it is and how wonderfully it ties into a line from the film. Every LOTR film fan should read this!

    The Matrix:
    The Dream Chronicles - Trin303
    A hilarious but good AU where Neo has dreamed of Trinity before he ever met her - with a wonderfully better ending than the film.

    Rizzoli & Isles:
    The End of the World - romana2525
    A lovely short apocalyptic AU with sadness but also beauty. The last line makes me sniff in that happy/sad way.

    Rookie Blue:
    Deep - surreallis
    What if Andy went with Sam when he went undercover in Best Laid Plans - and the op was different from the one on the show? This is a fantastic AU and well worth the read.

    Protector of the Small Quartet - Tamora Pierce:
    Fallen - Confusedknight
    Had to go to Ff.n for this one - but this is a fascinating canon divergence AU with a ton of worldbuilding, wherein Kel is not allowed to return after her probationary year, and she ends up a spy and warrior in Scanra. (That's as much as I dare tell you without spoiling the whole thing, but I can say I sat and read all 424k in one go when I discovered it, and could barely take my eyes off the screen in the process.)

    X-Men Original Movieverse:
    Silver Lining in the Sky - st_aurafina
    A very inventive fic where Scott, an orphan in the 1950s, meets Wolverine … a plane?

     

    I've read so many more fantastic ones but it's hard to think of them offhand. Most of my other fandoms are too tiny for a good one, and the one I can think of (for the Mary Russell series), the fic was long since deleted off Wattpad (though I have a copy and it is tremendously well-written). So these eleven will have to do. :)

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16. Newequican Wed 11 Feb 2026 03:30AM UTC

    

    I don't read a lot of AU, but I loved this one. It's a 911 AU/crossover fic.

    "Through The Valley of the Shadow of Death" by
    DaniWib

    Summary:

    Tommy Kinard doesn’t believe in vampires. The whole idea is ridiculous, and so is the secret organization insisting that that’s what the 118 are. But the Talamasca leave him no choice - spy on his friends, or lose everything.

    Caught between a truth he refuses to believe and a betrayal he can’t escape, Tommy finds himself reluctantly watching people who’ve done nothing to deserve it.

    It’s madness. It’s impossible. And it’s destroying him, because one of the people they’ve ordered him to watch is the man he’s falling in love with.

     

    Link:

    https://ao3-rd-3.onrender.com/works/70277051/chapters/182504071

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17. RegenerationGoneWrong Wed 11 Feb 2026 03:41AM UTC

    

    Let it Snow by ScienceFantasy93, a Lockwood & Co WW2 AU. It's a lot less intense but it's still a fun fanfic. The banter is great and the scenery are great

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18. raktajina Wed 11 Feb 2026 03:46AM UTC

    

    I read the Ready to Comply series by onymousann somewhat recently and really liked it. Stucky BDSM AU that's a WIP. A pretty dark premise with some nice moral ambiguity. Very interested to see how it ends!

    Communicatio in Sacris by voluptatiscausa is always phenomenal. Good Omens Human AU. Beautiful and poignant.

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19. pearlmagicalcat Wed 11 Feb 2026 03:50AM UTC

    

    I have a couple!

    The first is The Mysterious Affair at Woking by advantagealcaraz (justjamespotter). It's a detectives AU with Lando norris and Oscar Piastri as detectives working to solve a murder mystery. It's 20k words and written so nicely (and it'll get you guessing!) It also has a bit of romance sprinkled in.

    Second is Katakan Putus. by dinocaurs. It's a college AU in Bahasa Indonesia where Landoscar spy on cheating individuals and get paid by their partner who's getting cheated on. This one is unfinished but in my opinion if youre Indonesian, this fanfic will give you lots of giggles. :)

    Both of the fics are on AO3!

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20. Loki_is_the_best Wed 11 Feb 2026 05:32AM UTC

    

    One need not be a house by OhlioOh
    this fic is sooo good its a steddie au were eddie runs a paranormal invesigator YouTube channel /show and steve is a ghost that is bound to his house and they fall in love its kinda angsty and depressing but it is amazeing i remeber when i first read it i just couldnt stop reading it was soo good so please read it

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21. Forested_Woodlands Wed 11 Feb 2026 05:39AM UTC

    

    whoo amazing lets go au authors!
    AUthors... heh justrealized that

    i dont read much au sorry....
    theres a wenclair (wednesday addams / enid sinclair from wednesday) fic that i liked where a weems (principal who died) was still alive but wasntreally that plot important

    Last Edited Wed 11 Feb 2026 05:40AM UTC

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22. silentcry3435 Wed 11 Feb 2026 05:51AM UTC

    

    I mainly read SKZ fanfics but here we go!!

    College/University AU:

    - Case 43 by theproblematique
    It's such a good story!! The writing is amazing, the story is great, and it's really funny at times. Super emotion-evoking. Fabulous all around. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Seungmin/Jeongin.

    - whip it! by mrehk
    Amazing!! I can't praise this enough. Mrehk might be my favorite author on this app, and whip it! is just one of many reasons. Engaging, humorous, serious, emotional; this story has it all. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung.

     

    Canon Divergence AU

    - All Things Unhallowed by WinterRose98
    Fantastic story. Pacing, grammar, and spelling were amazing. The story itself was so good, and evoked a lot of emotions. Fandom is Wednesday (TV); ship is Wednesday/Tyler.

    - For Whom The Bells Toll by esotericals
    Omg. This was FANTASTIC. I read it recently and have been impatiently awaiting the rest of the series ever since. I loved it so much. Fandom is The Outsiders.

    -Aftershocks by cherryflavouredvoid
    The best thing I can say about this is that I recommend it to everyone I know and even wrote it on the board in class one day. I don't have words to express how much I adored this story. I want to read it a million times over. I want to read it for the first time again. It's so good. Fandom is The Outsiders.

    - tripping into trouble by hearteyeemoji
    So good!! Perfect read for October-November honestly. Amazing story, the characters really stand out and characterization is spot on. Slow burn without being slow burn, because the romance isn't a main aspect and is more of a background thing barely noticeable until pointed out. Overall, I really recommend this one. Fandom is The Outsiders; ship is Ponyboy/Curly.

     

    Magic AU

    - Searching For My Heart In Yours by lk321
    Great. Perfect. Fantastic. This was so amazing, and I read it wondering what would happen next. It's just perfect all around, honestly. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung.

    - Hearts Don't Break Around Here by hanville
    So amazing! Hogwarts AU with so much gay. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

     

    Fantasy AU

    - Twilight Tinctures: Love Brewed Slowly by Stray_Lilly
    Omg. So good!! I loved it so much, I can't even describe it. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Seungmin/Jeongin.

     

    Modern With Magic AU

    - The Spirit Is Willing (but the mind is clueless) by piyoonim
    So adorable!! It's so cute, and I waz genuinely giggling and kicking my feet while reading it. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - Curse of the Blue Balls by Momo_mono
    So so good. One of the first fics I read that left me devastated it was over. Reread it often, and sent to my friend, who also loved it. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Jeongin/Seungmin.

     

    Not Idols AU

    - Couple's Discount, my Ass by Queenofskrrt
    So funny omf. I loved it so much. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - A Good Man is(n't) Hard To Find by velooscuro
    Amazing. No words other that amazing. It was so funny. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Seungmin/Jeongin/Hyunjin

    - for free by daisier
    So good!! The tags were so funny, and the story was too. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - play of the game by forgivingyou
    So good!!!! Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - the suburbs by mrehk
    Look at the author. Need I say more? Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - chamomile by mrehk
    Again. It's by mrehk. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - a fish tank (with rainbow rocks) by mrehk
    Check above. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - i will protect you (gothic font) by mrehk
    ... Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - best friend stuff by mrehk
    Ask me why. I dare you. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Jeongin/Hyunjin

    - The Peregrine's Lament by beepoboopin
    Basically Heated Rivalry with gay kickball but way more emotions are involved and the writing is fabulous. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - moonglow by mrehk
    I will not be accepting questions at this time. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Jeongin/Hyunjin

    - Termination Dust by mrehk
    I have recommended so many fics by mrehk device automatically suggests them. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jisung

    - incombustible by mrehk
    Have I mentioned mrehk is my favorite author? Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Jeongin/Hyunjin

    - LMCat_98 has joined the chat by foxiyeny
    Perfect. One of the first fics I read on here. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Minho/Jeongin

     

    Ghosts AU

    - If Death Tags Along by RunningOnSunshine
    I had the pleasure to work with Ros on a zine, and I spent the entire time silently fangirling, because this story is one I will never grow tired of. I laughed, I cried so hard I couldn't see my screen, I had a great time. Ros wrote this beautifully, and I told her that during the zine, but I can't express enough how much this story means to me. I really recommend checking it out, along with her other works as well. They're all beautiful. Fandom is The Outsiders.

     

    Other AU

    - Secrets of the Heart by lk321
    Yes, I do reread this constantly. Yes, I do think everyone should read it. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is Jeongin/Seungmin

    - WhiteHat by coffeepot418
    So good!! Polyamorous, which I adore. Fandom is Stray Kids; ship is everyone/everyone

    Last Edited Wed 11 Feb 2026 05:55AM UTC

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